Online gaming and betting operator Bodog Europe has appointed Novomatic’s Harald Kaiblinger to the newly created role of research and development director.
Bodog said that Kaiblinger joins the company with the specific aim of unearthing the newest and best products, as well as platforms that can keep the business at the forefront of the industry.
Kaiblinger joins Bodog from gaming giant Novomatic, where he held a similar role.
“Bodog is a brand that never likes to sit still and this is what attracted me,” said Kaiblinger, following his appointment. “In igaming it is crucial to keep moving and to never rest on your laurels. There is always a new product or a new platform that can change the landscape of a business or even the whole industry and you need to move fast to capitalise on these opportunities. Bodog Europe has created this role so we can do just that.”
Patrik Selin, CEO of Bodog Europe, added: “Harald is a great addition to the team here in London and the role is one I believe to be vital in this industry where a new poker or mobile explosion can happen so quickly. We need to put ourselves at the front of those curves and Harald will help us in that pursuit.”
October 06, 2011
October 05, 2011
Greek gambling laws breach EU state aid rules, says RGA
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA), whose members include most of the leading gaming operators, has lodged a complaint with the European Commission challenging the compatibility of the Greek government’s new gambling law with EU State aid requirements.
The complaint focuses on the favourable tax treatment afforded to the land-based services of OPAP, the part state-owned gambling operator, in relation to private online gambling operators.
The Greek Parliament adopted new gambling legislation in August of this year, which regulates remote gambling.
The RGA said that it welcomed the fact that the legislation provides for the licensing of online operators, however it believes that the legislation has been geared towards delivering an unfair economic advantage to the existing monopoly operator OPAP.
The complaint focuses on the favourable tax treatment afforded to the land-based services of OPAP, the part state-owned gambling operator, in relation to private online gambling operators.
The Greek Parliament adopted new gambling legislation in August of this year, which regulates remote gambling.
The RGA said that it welcomed the fact that the legislation provides for the licensing of online operators, however it believes that the legislation has been geared towards delivering an unfair economic advantage to the existing monopoly operator OPAP.
October 03, 2011
William Hill signs exclusive betting partnership with ESPN
Bookmaker William Hill has signed a multi-platform deal to become the exclusive sponsor of ESPN’s televised UK coverage of three domestic football leagues in Europe, while also becoming the exclusive UK betting partner for ESPN’s forthcoming mobile app for football news and information site, ESPNsoccernet.
Under the agreement, William Hill will be the exclusive sponsor of ESPN’s televised UK coverage of Italy’s Serie A, the Russian Premier League and the Dutch Eredivisie as part of an integrated, multi-platform affiliation with European football.
William Hill will sponsor all of ESPN’s televised match coverage – live, delayed and highlights – of the three domestic football leagues, with pre- and end-break TV bumpers. The sponsorship also extends to ESPN’s various preview and review TV shows around the leagues.
“Our multi-platform coverage of Europe’s top football leagues is a popular part of the ESPN offering to fans and brands alike,” said Alan Fagan, director advertising sales, ESPN EMEA. “Our agreement with William Hill, one of the UK’s leading brands, reflects how we can deliver value to top-flight advertisers, connecting them with loyal and passionate UK football fans across multiple screens. ESPN has an unrivalled ability to serve advertisers with local precision and solutions in the UK, and in markets around the world.”
William Hill will also be the exclusive UK betting partner for ESPN’s forthcoming mobile app for football news and information site, ESPNsoccernet. As well as display advertising, William Hill will be integrated into the app with a ‘bet now’ button enabling users to place bets on football action as it happens.
“ESPN is one of the leading names in sports media and we’re really looking forward to working with them,” said Kristof Fahy, William Hill’s chief marketing officer. “This multi-platform deal will enable us to promote our brand and services to millions of sports fans across the UK, while our mobile betting partnership with ESPN looks like a real winner.”
Completing the multi-platform deal, William Hill will run display banners and rich-media ads online with ESPNsoccernet.
Under the agreement, William Hill will be the exclusive sponsor of ESPN’s televised UK coverage of Italy’s Serie A, the Russian Premier League and the Dutch Eredivisie as part of an integrated, multi-platform affiliation with European football.
William Hill will sponsor all of ESPN’s televised match coverage – live, delayed and highlights – of the three domestic football leagues, with pre- and end-break TV bumpers. The sponsorship also extends to ESPN’s various preview and review TV shows around the leagues.
“Our multi-platform coverage of Europe’s top football leagues is a popular part of the ESPN offering to fans and brands alike,” said Alan Fagan, director advertising sales, ESPN EMEA. “Our agreement with William Hill, one of the UK’s leading brands, reflects how we can deliver value to top-flight advertisers, connecting them with loyal and passionate UK football fans across multiple screens. ESPN has an unrivalled ability to serve advertisers with local precision and solutions in the UK, and in markets around the world.”
William Hill will also be the exclusive UK betting partner for ESPN’s forthcoming mobile app for football news and information site, ESPNsoccernet. As well as display advertising, William Hill will be integrated into the app with a ‘bet now’ button enabling users to place bets on football action as it happens.
“ESPN is one of the leading names in sports media and we’re really looking forward to working with them,” said Kristof Fahy, William Hill’s chief marketing officer. “This multi-platform deal will enable us to promote our brand and services to millions of sports fans across the UK, while our mobile betting partnership with ESPN looks like a real winner.”
Completing the multi-platform deal, William Hill will run display banners and rich-media ads online with ESPNsoccernet.
Paddy Power migrates online casino to Playtech platform
Extending the relationship between the two parties, Irish online gaming operator Paddy Power has migrated its online casino to Playtech’s platform following the signing of a new multi-year agreement.
Paddy Power has re-launched its Playtech-powered online casino product today, including a comprehensive games library comprising slots, table and card games and a wide range of branded content in both download and web-based formats.
In addition, Paddy Power will benefit from Playtech's advanced player management tools, including loyalty functionality which will create significant opportunities for Paddy Power to enhance player returns.
“We have built a strong relationship with Paddy Power over several years and are delighted to be able to further consolidate our service provision to one of the industry's leading players through this agreement to provide our leading casino technology,” said Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer.
Paddy Power's relationship with Playtech began in 2007 when it became a member of Playtech's iPoker network. More recently Paddy Power joined Playtech's Virtue Fusion bingo network. The company’s online casino was previously powered by IGT’s WagerWorks.
“We are excited to announce the launch of Paddy Power's new casino using Playtech's technology,” said Paddy Power’s head of gaming Christopher Coyne, and casino manager Denise Dunne in a joint statement. “We believe it will be best-in-class with an abundance of excellent games added to our market leading casino promotions for players.
“Playtech was chosen following a rigorous selection process from amongst the leading casino suppliers. The project teams have delivered a fantastic online casino which we believe will significantly enhance our online offering.”
Paddy Power has re-launched its Playtech-powered online casino product today, including a comprehensive games library comprising slots, table and card games and a wide range of branded content in both download and web-based formats.
In addition, Paddy Power will benefit from Playtech's advanced player management tools, including loyalty functionality which will create significant opportunities for Paddy Power to enhance player returns.
“We have built a strong relationship with Paddy Power over several years and are delighted to be able to further consolidate our service provision to one of the industry's leading players through this agreement to provide our leading casino technology,” said Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer.
Paddy Power's relationship with Playtech began in 2007 when it became a member of Playtech's iPoker network. More recently Paddy Power joined Playtech's Virtue Fusion bingo network. The company’s online casino was previously powered by IGT’s WagerWorks.
“We are excited to announce the launch of Paddy Power's new casino using Playtech's technology,” said Paddy Power’s head of gaming Christopher Coyne, and casino manager Denise Dunne in a joint statement. “We believe it will be best-in-class with an abundance of excellent games added to our market leading casino promotions for players.
“Playtech was chosen following a rigorous selection process from amongst the leading casino suppliers. The project teams have delivered a fantastic online casino which we believe will significantly enhance our online offering.”
September 30, 2011
Microgaming forms management board for poker network
Online gaming developer Microgaming has established a network management board, a body which will control the development and operational running of the Microgaming Poker Network, comprising of representatives from primary operators on the network.
The board comprises of a single representative from the primary operators on the Microgaming Poker Network, a representative from Microgaming’s network games team and a chairman, sourced from within the industry.
Operators and Microgaming will share votes on key decisions, with proportional shares determined by a formula agreed by the voting members of the board. The board members will additionally determine the criteria for membership to the board, with the chairman and industry experts to be non-voting members.
The responsibilities of the board will include the construction of the development roadmap, the setting of network-wide policies for marketing and rake-back, including penalties for breaches, and the planning of network-wide promotions.
“Poker is a difficult industry to be in, and that difficulty is heightened when operators are not in control of their own destinies,” said Lydia Melton, head of network games at Microgaming. “By establishing the Network Management Board, we are essentially ceding control of the Microgaming Poker Network to the primary operators on the Network.
“Microgaming is a technology company with over 15 years of experience in this industry, and we will continue to develop and progress our poker software, as guided by the NMB, with no reduction in resources or drive. When others are slowing down, it is full steam ahead at Microgaming.
“The industry needs this, and we strongly believe that we are the only network willing to make such a fundamental change to how we operate.”
Microgaming said that the formation of the board was one part of the project to change the Microgaming Poker Network to what the company referred to as a Sportsbook Poker Network, in which all members contribute towards the success of each other and to the network as a whole.
The first meeting of new board will take place in early November, with members expected to include the likes of Ladbrokes, Stan James, Unibet, Triobet, Digibet, and 32Red amongst others.
The board comprises of a single representative from the primary operators on the Microgaming Poker Network, a representative from Microgaming’s network games team and a chairman, sourced from within the industry.
Operators and Microgaming will share votes on key decisions, with proportional shares determined by a formula agreed by the voting members of the board. The board members will additionally determine the criteria for membership to the board, with the chairman and industry experts to be non-voting members.
The responsibilities of the board will include the construction of the development roadmap, the setting of network-wide policies for marketing and rake-back, including penalties for breaches, and the planning of network-wide promotions.
“Poker is a difficult industry to be in, and that difficulty is heightened when operators are not in control of their own destinies,” said Lydia Melton, head of network games at Microgaming. “By establishing the Network Management Board, we are essentially ceding control of the Microgaming Poker Network to the primary operators on the Network.
“Microgaming is a technology company with over 15 years of experience in this industry, and we will continue to develop and progress our poker software, as guided by the NMB, with no reduction in resources or drive. When others are slowing down, it is full steam ahead at Microgaming.
“The industry needs this, and we strongly believe that we are the only network willing to make such a fundamental change to how we operate.”
Microgaming said that the formation of the board was one part of the project to change the Microgaming Poker Network to what the company referred to as a Sportsbook Poker Network, in which all members contribute towards the success of each other and to the network as a whole.
The first meeting of new board will take place in early November, with members expected to include the likes of Ladbrokes, Stan James, Unibet, Triobet, Digibet, and 32Red amongst others.
German Court blocks chances of online gaming
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc, Betfair and others lost a top appeals court case over Germany’s ban on online gambling.
The Federal Court of Justice, Germany’s highest civil court, said in five suits brought by state-owned lotteries that the prohibition is justified to combat dangers associated with gambling. Shares of Bwin fell as much as 12 percent.
“Because of the greater dangers of the Internet, above all anonymity, lack of social control and accessibility at any time, this sales venue can be subject to stricter regulation,” Presiding Judge Joachim Bornkamm said after the rulings.
The European Union’s top court ruled last year that Germany’s betting monopoly, which allows most sports betting to be done only through state-controlled companies, violates European laws. Germany has faced criticism for allowing private horse betting while outlawing other forms of private sport bets. The EU court ruling didn’t bring an end to the various suits pending in Germany over the issue.
Bwin e.K., the company’s German unit that was involved in the lawsuit, said it will consider whether to file a constitutional complaint. Any such step wouldn’t yield a ruling until the end of this year when the current rules elapse anyway, the company said.
‘Won’t Last can’t last’
“The ban violates European rules and won’t last,” Bwin e.K. said. “A regulated market opening is the only way to combat the black market in Germany and to comply with EU requirements.”
German states are debating on how to revise their state treaty that sets current rules. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has decided to open its market. The state treaty, which took effect in 2008 and is elapsing on Dec. 31, was an effort to take earlier rulings by the EU court and the nation’s constitutional court into account.
Bwin shares fell 6.7 percent to 119.2 pence at the close of London trading after falling as much as 12 percent following the ruling.
Today’s decision matches a June ruling by Germany’s top administrative court, which also cleared the online ban because it covers private offers and government-owned lotteries.
“When looking into whether a regime is coherent, you don’t have to look at the total market,” Bornkamm said. “The online sector is a marked-out area that can easily be viewed as isolated.”
While the states tolerate private horse race betting on the Internet in practice, the volume of those bets is so small they don’t make the whole system incoherent, the judge said.
The court rejected the arguments that Bwin e.K. could make use of a license issued by the former East German government or that exceptions need to apply to companies who hold license from other European countries.
“Our ruling is valid only for the rules that apply until the end of this year,” said Bornkamm.
The Federal Court of Justice, Germany’s highest civil court, said in five suits brought by state-owned lotteries that the prohibition is justified to combat dangers associated with gambling. Shares of Bwin fell as much as 12 percent.
“Because of the greater dangers of the Internet, above all anonymity, lack of social control and accessibility at any time, this sales venue can be subject to stricter regulation,” Presiding Judge Joachim Bornkamm said after the rulings.
The European Union’s top court ruled last year that Germany’s betting monopoly, which allows most sports betting to be done only through state-controlled companies, violates European laws. Germany has faced criticism for allowing private horse betting while outlawing other forms of private sport bets. The EU court ruling didn’t bring an end to the various suits pending in Germany over the issue.
Bwin e.K., the company’s German unit that was involved in the lawsuit, said it will consider whether to file a constitutional complaint. Any such step wouldn’t yield a ruling until the end of this year when the current rules elapse anyway, the company said.
‘Won’t Last can’t last’
“The ban violates European rules and won’t last,” Bwin e.K. said. “A regulated market opening is the only way to combat the black market in Germany and to comply with EU requirements.”
German states are debating on how to revise their state treaty that sets current rules. The state of Schleswig-Holstein has decided to open its market. The state treaty, which took effect in 2008 and is elapsing on Dec. 31, was an effort to take earlier rulings by the EU court and the nation’s constitutional court into account.
Bwin shares fell 6.7 percent to 119.2 pence at the close of London trading after falling as much as 12 percent following the ruling.
Today’s decision matches a June ruling by Germany’s top administrative court, which also cleared the online ban because it covers private offers and government-owned lotteries.
“When looking into whether a regime is coherent, you don’t have to look at the total market,” Bornkamm said. “The online sector is a marked-out area that can easily be viewed as isolated.”
While the states tolerate private horse race betting on the Internet in practice, the volume of those bets is so small they don’t make the whole system incoherent, the judge said.
The court rejected the arguments that Bwin e.K. could make use of a license issued by the former East German government or that exceptions need to apply to companies who hold license from other European countries.
“Our ruling is valid only for the rules that apply until the end of this year,” said Bornkamm.
September 29, 2011
Full Tilt Poker license revoked
Full Tilt Poker has had its license revoked by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC)
The Post will release behind the scenes information on the mystery investors and how FTP operated soon.
Here is the full statement from the AGCC:
AGCC Commissioners, sitting as a tribunal, have today revoked the licences of Vantage Limited, Filco Limited and Oxalic Limited, trading as Full Tilt Poker (FTP), with immediate effect. This follows the earlier suspension of the licences on 29th June 2011.
At a hearing held in London over six days, it emerged that FTP had fundamentally misled AGCC about their operational integrity by continuously reporting as liquid funds balances that had been covertly seized or restrained by US authorities, or that were otherwise not actually available to the operator. Serious breaches of AGCC regulations include false reporting, unauthorised provision of credit, and failure to report material events.
At the commencement of these proceedings on 26th July AGCC made clear its preference tohold the hearing in public, to the benefit of players and media alike. However, the tribunalwas persuaded that the hearing should be held in camera on the basis of claims by FTP thatthis would maximise the chance of a commercial rescue of the business for the benefit ofplayers. For this reason an adjournment of 54 days was allowed.
It is important to note that the revocation of FTP’s licences does not, as has been suggested,prevent a reactivation of the business under new ownership and management.
Unresolvedclaims by players against FTP become a matter for the police and civil authorities. Now thatFTP’s licences have been revoked, AGCC no longer has jurisdiction over these companies.The licence of Orinic Limited, a recently added geographic sub-division of the FTP pokerroom, remains suspended.
The Post will release behind the scenes information on the mystery investors and how FTP operated soon.
Here is the full statement from the AGCC:
AGCC Commissioners, sitting as a tribunal, have today revoked the licences of Vantage Limited, Filco Limited and Oxalic Limited, trading as Full Tilt Poker (FTP), with immediate effect. This follows the earlier suspension of the licences on 29th June 2011.
At a hearing held in London over six days, it emerged that FTP had fundamentally misled AGCC about their operational integrity by continuously reporting as liquid funds balances that had been covertly seized or restrained by US authorities, or that were otherwise not actually available to the operator. Serious breaches of AGCC regulations include false reporting, unauthorised provision of credit, and failure to report material events.
At the commencement of these proceedings on 26th July AGCC made clear its preference tohold the hearing in public, to the benefit of players and media alike. However, the tribunalwas persuaded that the hearing should be held in camera on the basis of claims by FTP thatthis would maximise the chance of a commercial rescue of the business for the benefit ofplayers. For this reason an adjournment of 54 days was allowed.
It is important to note that the revocation of FTP’s licences does not, as has been suggested,prevent a reactivation of the business under new ownership and management.
Unresolvedclaims by players against FTP become a matter for the police and civil authorities. Now thatFTP’s licences have been revoked, AGCC no longer has jurisdiction over these companies.The licence of Orinic Limited, a recently added geographic sub-division of the FTP pokerroom, remains suspended.
Indian Tribe sues to stop gambling vote
The Narragansett Indian Tribe has gone to court to try to prevent the privately owned Twin River slot parlor in Lincoln in a November 2012 referendum from winning the distinction beating the tribe to the first casino in the state. The Indian tribe failed in its own attempts years ago.
Before heading home for the summer in June, state lawmakers approved legislation calling for the statewide vote that Twin River’s owners were seeking on their bid to add blackjack and other traditional casino games, currently banned in Rhode Island, to their gambling menu.
The legislation did not specify how much, if anything, the state would get in return for the award of this first, and potentially, only casino license. But the financial institutions that acquired Twin River, when it emerged from bankruptcy late last year, called the introduction of table games critical to the slot parlor’s ability to compete against the increasingly likely threat of competition from Massachusetts for the region’s gambling dollars.
In a lawsuit filed in Superior Court on Wednesday, the tribe contends the law calling for the referendum is both “unconstitutional and vague.”
The tribe hung its legal argument on the same requirement in the state Constitution that tripped up its first two efforts to get a Harrah’s-backed casino proposal for West Warwick on the state ballot. It says: “All lotteries shall be prohibited in the State except lotteries operated by the State,” which has been broadly interpreted to include most traditional games of chance at a casino.
In an earlier appeal to Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin for help, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas quoted the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s own words in an earlier case: “If … the question and legislation are void as unconstitutional, then members of the public will waste much money, time, effort and energy to familiarize themselves with the controversial issues that the proposed casino has raised.” (Kilmartin’s office declined to intervene.)
In its plea, the tribe said: “The voters of the State of Rhode Island are being asked to vote on … the expansion of gaming without any definition of what state operation of this expansion will consist of, what specific table games are going to be operated and what entity or personnel are going to operate them.”
“The statute is unconstitutional because the State must have the power to make decisions about all aspects of the functioning of any state casino, and this statute either provides no standard at all or allows a private entity unconstitutional control over certain aspects of the operation of the casino.”
Offered an opportunity Wednesday to respond, Twin River spokeswoman Patti Doyle said: “We’re not going to have much to say today.”
She said Twin River’s owners had just learned of the lawsuit, which “will take some time to review. That said, we are quite comfortable in the process in which we are engaged … as defined by the governor and General Assembly, and look forward to having the question put before the voters” in November 2012.
Twin River is currently home to about 4,750 electronic gambling machines, including virtual blackjack, placed at the former greyhound racetrack by the state Lottery under terms where the state gets to keep roughly 61 cents out of every dollar a gambler leaves behind.
The state expects $275.5 million from the video-slot play at Twin River this year alone, and another $28.7 from the smaller of the state’s two slot parlors, Newport Grand.
Twin River, especially, draws a significant number of its customers from Massachusetts. A survey released by the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis in mid-September suggested that Massachusetts residents accounted for 56 percent of the visits by New Englanders to Twin River and Newport Grand during 2010 — up from 37 percent in 2006.
In a special report last month on the high likelihood of casino gambling and slots finally coming to Massachusetts, Moody’s Investors Service predicted: “Twin River could sustain a major blow.”
In their lawsuit, the Narragansetts, who saw their last Harrah’s-financed casino proposal rejected by voters in 2006, recounted their tribe’s decades of failed efforts “to gain economic self-sufficiency for its members” since passage of the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The tribe’s 1994 West Greenwich casino proposal was defeated by voters. Subsequent proposals got snagged by legal wrangling in the state and federal courts, and passage by Congress of the so-called “Chafee amendment.” It effectively barred the tribe from putting a gambling hall on its own settlement lands in South County without the same statewide and local approval that any other would-be casino-developer would require under state law.
The tribe’s last major push to open a Harrah’s-financed casino in West Warwick was reviewed, twice, by the R.I. Supreme Court: in 2004, at the behest of the governor and, in 2005, at the request of the House of Representatives. As the tribe recounts this history, the court essentially held both times that the proposed casino-referendum legislation was unconstitutional because the state would not have sufficient operational control over the gambling facility.
Before heading home for the summer in June, state lawmakers approved legislation calling for the statewide vote that Twin River’s owners were seeking on their bid to add blackjack and other traditional casino games, currently banned in Rhode Island, to their gambling menu.
The legislation did not specify how much, if anything, the state would get in return for the award of this first, and potentially, only casino license. But the financial institutions that acquired Twin River, when it emerged from bankruptcy late last year, called the introduction of table games critical to the slot parlor’s ability to compete against the increasingly likely threat of competition from Massachusetts for the region’s gambling dollars.
In a lawsuit filed in Superior Court on Wednesday, the tribe contends the law calling for the referendum is both “unconstitutional and vague.”
The tribe hung its legal argument on the same requirement in the state Constitution that tripped up its first two efforts to get a Harrah’s-backed casino proposal for West Warwick on the state ballot. It says: “All lotteries shall be prohibited in the State except lotteries operated by the State,” which has been broadly interpreted to include most traditional games of chance at a casino.
In an earlier appeal to Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin for help, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas quoted the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s own words in an earlier case: “If … the question and legislation are void as unconstitutional, then members of the public will waste much money, time, effort and energy to familiarize themselves with the controversial issues that the proposed casino has raised.” (Kilmartin’s office declined to intervene.)
In its plea, the tribe said: “The voters of the State of Rhode Island are being asked to vote on … the expansion of gaming without any definition of what state operation of this expansion will consist of, what specific table games are going to be operated and what entity or personnel are going to operate them.”
“The statute is unconstitutional because the State must have the power to make decisions about all aspects of the functioning of any state casino, and this statute either provides no standard at all or allows a private entity unconstitutional control over certain aspects of the operation of the casino.”
Offered an opportunity Wednesday to respond, Twin River spokeswoman Patti Doyle said: “We’re not going to have much to say today.”
She said Twin River’s owners had just learned of the lawsuit, which “will take some time to review. That said, we are quite comfortable in the process in which we are engaged … as defined by the governor and General Assembly, and look forward to having the question put before the voters” in November 2012.
Twin River is currently home to about 4,750 electronic gambling machines, including virtual blackjack, placed at the former greyhound racetrack by the state Lottery under terms where the state gets to keep roughly 61 cents out of every dollar a gambler leaves behind.
The state expects $275.5 million from the video-slot play at Twin River this year alone, and another $28.7 from the smaller of the state’s two slot parlors, Newport Grand.
Twin River, especially, draws a significant number of its customers from Massachusetts. A survey released by the UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis in mid-September suggested that Massachusetts residents accounted for 56 percent of the visits by New Englanders to Twin River and Newport Grand during 2010 — up from 37 percent in 2006.
In a special report last month on the high likelihood of casino gambling and slots finally coming to Massachusetts, Moody’s Investors Service predicted: “Twin River could sustain a major blow.”
In their lawsuit, the Narragansetts, who saw their last Harrah’s-financed casino proposal rejected by voters in 2006, recounted their tribe’s decades of failed efforts “to gain economic self-sufficiency for its members” since passage of the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The tribe’s 1994 West Greenwich casino proposal was defeated by voters. Subsequent proposals got snagged by legal wrangling in the state and federal courts, and passage by Congress of the so-called “Chafee amendment.” It effectively barred the tribe from putting a gambling hall on its own settlement lands in South County without the same statewide and local approval that any other would-be casino-developer would require under state law.
The tribe’s last major push to open a Harrah’s-financed casino in West Warwick was reviewed, twice, by the R.I. Supreme Court: in 2004, at the behest of the governor and, in 2005, at the request of the House of Representatives. As the tribe recounts this history, the court essentially held both times that the proposed casino-referendum legislation was unconstitutional because the state would not have sufficient operational control over the gambling facility.
September 27, 2011
Betclic launches iPhone app, joins Everest Poker network
Having launched a number of applications for Android and Blackberry devices, Betclic Everest Group subsidiary Betclic has introduced a new sports betting app for the Apple iPhone, while the company’s Betclic Poker offering has switched to the Everest Poker network from Boss Media's International Poker Network.
Betclic’s iPhone app allows customers to place bets across the company’s entire sports betting portfolio, including bets on more than fifteen different sports, eighty competitions, as well as up to seventy live betting events.
The app also features updated news and information, allowing customers to bet on live events while on the move.
Meanwhile, Betclic Poker confirmed yesterday that it has joined the Everest Poker network, as it looks to ensure continued growth and improve players’ experience. The poker site has moved from Boss Media's International Poker Network (IPN).
“We are thrilled that BetClic Poker joins the Everest Poker network,” said Tarquin Henderson, head of poker and casino at BetClic Everest. “The growing Everest Poker Network is a popular and trusted place to learn and experience the fun of playing poker online. BetClic Poker will bring poker knowledge, passion and liquidity to our network and this will ensure the best experience for all players involved.”
As part of the Everest Poker network, Betclic Poker players will be able to enjoy overall guaranteed prize pools of more than $1.25m every month, as well as access to the $75,000 Big Prime tournament on October 2nd, $25,000 more than the regular Sunday guarantee.
According to the poker tracking site PokerScout, the Everest Poker network currently ranks sixteenth in the worldwide ranking, below the likes of Bodog, Boss Media’s IPN and Microgaming.
Betclic’s iPhone app allows customers to place bets across the company’s entire sports betting portfolio, including bets on more than fifteen different sports, eighty competitions, as well as up to seventy live betting events.
The app also features updated news and information, allowing customers to bet on live events while on the move.
Meanwhile, Betclic Poker confirmed yesterday that it has joined the Everest Poker network, as it looks to ensure continued growth and improve players’ experience. The poker site has moved from Boss Media's International Poker Network (IPN).
“We are thrilled that BetClic Poker joins the Everest Poker network,” said Tarquin Henderson, head of poker and casino at BetClic Everest. “The growing Everest Poker Network is a popular and trusted place to learn and experience the fun of playing poker online. BetClic Poker will bring poker knowledge, passion and liquidity to our network and this will ensure the best experience for all players involved.”
As part of the Everest Poker network, Betclic Poker players will be able to enjoy overall guaranteed prize pools of more than $1.25m every month, as well as access to the $75,000 Big Prime tournament on October 2nd, $25,000 more than the regular Sunday guarantee.
According to the poker tracking site PokerScout, the Everest Poker network currently ranks sixteenth in the worldwide ranking, below the likes of Bodog, Boss Media’s IPN and Microgaming.
IG Markets launches Android trading app in Australia
IG Markets, one of Australia’s leading CFD providers and a subsidiary of IG Group, has launched a new trading app for Android devices, adding to the company’s existing suite of mobile functionality which includes iPhone, BlackBerry and Nokia apps, as well as its tailored mobile trading software.
Available free of charge from the Android Market, IG Markets' clients can place CFD trades on a range of markets including forex, shares, stock indices, commodities and options, all from their Android handset.
Customers also able to view real-time balance information, along with their open positions and watchlists, as well as set and edit working orders, and generate a range of charts. Prospective traders can also access live market data as well as open an account.
“The popularity of the Android smartphone has been extraordinary, and we're thrilled to be able to pass this increased functionality on to so many of our clients,” said Tamas Szabo, head of IG Markets, Asia Pacific. “This release reflects IG Markets' commitment to innovation and offering clients the best trading tools for their CFD trading.
“In June 2011 we released Australia's first iPhone App offering DMA CFDs, allowing traders to trade inside the market spread and straight into the order book of global exchanges, as well as view full market depth and liquidity.
"Also accessible from BlackBerry, and a range of other smartphone handsets, our powerful and secure PureDeal trading platform enables clients to access our wide range of markets, manage their portfolios, set working orders and much more.”
According to figures from Kantar's ComTech WorldPanel, the Android is the leading the Australian smartphone in the market, with a 42.9 per cent share of all smartphones sold in Australia in the 12 weeks to August 7th.
Available free of charge from the Android Market, IG Markets' clients can place CFD trades on a range of markets including forex, shares, stock indices, commodities and options, all from their Android handset.
Customers also able to view real-time balance information, along with their open positions and watchlists, as well as set and edit working orders, and generate a range of charts. Prospective traders can also access live market data as well as open an account.
“The popularity of the Android smartphone has been extraordinary, and we're thrilled to be able to pass this increased functionality on to so many of our clients,” said Tamas Szabo, head of IG Markets, Asia Pacific. “This release reflects IG Markets' commitment to innovation and offering clients the best trading tools for their CFD trading.
“In June 2011 we released Australia's first iPhone App offering DMA CFDs, allowing traders to trade inside the market spread and straight into the order book of global exchanges, as well as view full market depth and liquidity.
"Also accessible from BlackBerry, and a range of other smartphone handsets, our powerful and secure PureDeal trading platform enables clients to access our wide range of markets, manage their portfolios, set working orders and much more.”
According to figures from Kantar's ComTech WorldPanel, the Android is the leading the Australian smartphone in the market, with a 42.9 per cent share of all smartphones sold in Australia in the 12 weeks to August 7th.
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